ArmeniaNow  --  The year in arts began mournfully, as famed Armenian conductor Ohan Durian passed away. Durian died after a long illness on January 6, aged 88. Hundreds of Yerevan citizens, musicians, and officials gathered on January 10, at the Opera House in Yerevan to bid farewell to the maestro.

In January the number of Armenian TV channels was reduced by four. Children’s channel Hayrenik (Homeland) – the only network offering exclusively programming for children – and Shoghakat, the religious channel were left out of the broadcasting field, as for ALM and TV5 TV companies – their broadcasting licenses expired and were not renewed under the latest decision of the National Television and Radio Commission. Currently the programs of the Shoghakat TV Company are being broadcast via 48th frequency of Ararat TV, which belongs to Armenian Public Television, and Hayrenik TV Company is now broadcasting its programming on AR TV.

This year Armenia participated in the Eurovision song contest for the sixth time. Twenty-seven year old songstress Emmy represented Armenia in the hugely popular contest in Düsseldorf, Germany, with her up-tempo song “Boom-Boom” and three minutes of boxing inspired choreography. However, this is the first time a representative of Armenia (participating in Eurovision events since 2006) has not made it through to the grand show of what is Europe’s biggest pop music contest.

The year was rich with a variety of festivals; among them was the eighth edition of Golden Apricot international film festival . The gala ceremony was attended by several star guests, including one of the festival’s guests of honor Fanny Ardant, a renowned French actress.

One of this year’s novelties at the festival is “Apricot Pit”, a short film program enabling the young to realize their ideas, independently formulate demands, set film selection criteria and ultimately make the selection of films.

Cellist Narek Hakhnazaryan from Armenia won a gold medal and first prize at the XIV International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow, Russia. Hakhnazaryan, 22, was at the center of a scandal when the Russian conductor Mark Gorenstein, insulted his ethnic origin during a rehearsal for his concerto performance, by calling him an “aul” (which means a Caucasian village).

“Millstone” and “Spinning the Thread” frescos by prominent Soviet-Armenian painter Minas Avetisyan displayed at the newly renovated presidential complex hall of the new passenger terminal of Zvartnots Airport near Yerevan, which were given to Armenia International Airports CJSC with the right to use it free of charge and for an unlimited period of time under the Government’s decision raised a clamor in Gyumri, Shirak province. Even though Gyumretsi intelligentsia representatives demanded to return the frescoes of the Shiraktsi artist, the frescoes remained in Yerevan.

The competition for admission to universities this year was not as tough as before, because with the introduction of a 12-year school system there were no school graduates this summer. School graduates from previous years, who were not ready to continue education at the time, those who last year failed their exams, as well as those who have completed their compulsory military service and Diaspora Armenians made the competing contingent this year.

The Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU), the largest Armenian non-profit organization in the world, initiated and financed the establishment of the Armenian Virtual College (AVC), which has completed two years service. The first and still sole Armenian virtual college has about 1,300 students from 50 countries. By means of multimedia lectures, interactive maps, videos and forums AVC students receive a comprehensive education at three faculties (Armenian language, history and culture) regardless of their age, place of residence and level of knowledge.

Internationally renowned marketing consultant Philip Kotler gave lectures at a marketing week in Yerevan. During his weeklong stay in Armenia Kotler held seminars for the business community and students. Among those attending the seminars were also visitors from abroad. At a meeting with Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan the marketing guru pointed out the good prerequisites that exist in Armenia for developing marketing and called for “a correct and consistent policy” to realize the potential.

One of the important events of the end of the year was the Junior Eurovision 2011 song contest was hosted by Armenia for the first time. In a spectacular Saturday night show at the Karen Demirchyan Sport and Concert Complex in Yerevan Armenia’s contestant Dalita ended in fifth place with 85 points for her upbeat “Welcome to Armenia” song. Georgia’s disco style song Candy Music, winning 108 points in a combined TV audience and professional jury vote, was the winner.